aerobic composting technologies

8/8/2019 Aerobic Composting Technologies

1/11

Aerobic Composting Technologies:

Process Options

Workshop: Composting of Organics

June 24, 2008

Charles W. Peterson, FEU

Technology Options

Windrow

- Self propelled

- Towable straddle turner

- Power Take-Off (PTO)

Aerated Static Pile

In-vessel

- Enclosed aerated static pile

- Agitated bed- Rotary drum

Vermicomposting


2/11

Technology Tradeofffs

BestMediumLeastEnvironmental

MostMediumLeastCost

BestMediumLeastProcess

Primary: 7-10

Curing: 30

Primary: 21-30

Curing: 30

Primary: 30-45

Curing: 30Time (days)

LeastMediumMostLand

In-VesselAerated Static

Pile

Windrow

Windrow

Self Propelled Straddle Turner Pile dimensions limited by size of turner

- Height: 2-3 m, Base: 4-5 m

Equipment specs (motor) determine daily turning

capacity

CAPEX: $200,000 - $350,000

Images: http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/compost/ImagesWeb/CompEquip.html

http://www.gemacosales.com/products/wildcat/selfpropelled_compost_turners.htm


3/11

Windrow

Elevating (Self Propelled / Towable) Turner

Windrow height can be higher than straddle

turner


Windrow: Towable Straddle Turner

Less expensive then self propelled, more area

needed for maneuvering area between windrows

CAPEX: $60,000 - $100,000



4/11

Composting Windrow

Power Take-Off (PTO)

On-farm use - low daily throughput

Single / double pass


http://www.ibiblio.org/steved/Luebke/Luebke-compost2.html

Composting: Aerated Static Pile

Forced aeration air draw down through a pile or

upwards (in-vessel)

- Air treatment - odor removal (bio-filters)

Process control pile oxygen levels

Images: http://organic.tfrec.wsu.edu/compost/ImagesWeb/CompEquip.html (left image)


5/11

In-Vessel System: Enclosed Aerated Static

Pile - Gore Cover Systems

Images: http://www.gore.com/en_xx/products/fabrics/swt/gore_cover_composting_biological_yardwaste.html

In-Vessel System: Enclosed Aerated Static

Pile - NaturTech


6/11

In-Vessel System: Agitated Bed IPS (Siemens)

Images: http://www.water.siemens.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Product_Lines/Microfloc_Products/Brochures/IPS-GEN-BR-0108.pdf

In-Vessel System: Rotating Drums

Andar Environmental

Images: http://www.andar.co.nz/Products/Environmental/Rotocom/system.asp


7/11

Using earthworms to breakdown organic matter

into natural fertilizer/soil conditioner

Vermicomposting

Images: http://www.kvafsu.kar.nic.in/Deoni%20Farm.htm, http://www.wormwoman.com/acatalog/2004-fall-tour/2004-fall-tour-08.html,http://torontoist.com/2007/07/square_feet_ver.php

Case Study: ECARU Facility

Cairo, Egypt

Existing composting operation: 375 tpd

- ERPA expansion: 1,100 tpd

Process: waste sorting / windrow

Climatic condition: tropical / dry


8/11


Cairo, Egypt - Sorting


Cairo, Egypt - Sorting Schematic


9/11


Cairo, Egypt - Composting

Case Study: Smart Facility

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

ERPA: 500 tpd (waste), 300 tpd organics

Process: waste sorting / windrow

Climatic condition: tropical / wet (about 3 m/yr)

Front-end sorting similar to Cairo


10/11

Case Study: Smart Facility

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - Composting

High precipitation tarps over windrows to

minimzes leachate

Care in est. composting area 4 acres (original),

re-clculated to 15 acres

Case Study: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Projected throughput: 400 tpd to start

Simple compost wastepicking , but no sorting

Proposal aerobic landfill, only income carbon

revenue low cost operation

Market landfill cover

Project failed climate: temperate / dry, low

emission factors


11/11